If you started watching football in Week 11, you'd think the Chicago Bears, not the Detroit Lions, were the NFC North team with playoff aspirations. After all, the Bears are on a two-game winning streak, with 42 points over the two games, while the Lions have lost two in a row and put up only 15 points in the process. Of course, those two wins bring the Bears only to 5-6, while the two losses have the Lions at 7-4. Thursday, the two teams play the first game on Thanksgiving Day.
Fantasy football advice, Week 13: Who to start/sit for Bears vs. Lions on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving’s first game features two teams going in opposite directions.
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Chicago wide receiver Brandon Marshall is once again on the week's injury report dealing with an ankle injury, but there's little chance he misses Thursday. The Lions have running back Reggie Bush and wide receiver Calvin Johnson on the injury report; Bush says he'll play through his ankle injury, though he's said that before and been wrong, and Johnson is also dealing with an ankle injury, but expected to be a full go for the game.
As is their way, the Lions play Thanksgiving host, with the game scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Let’s look at the fantasy considerations:
BEARS
Start 'em: Even against a stout run defense, Matt Forte is going to be in all lineups. He's been one of fantasy's surest things most of the year. ... Both Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall have their warts, primarily because of their quarterback, but ultimately, both guys are easily WR2s at worst.
Start 'em?: There's no denying that Jay Cutler comes into any game with serious risk; in his last six, he's gone for 20-plus three times and single-digits three times. He's right on the border of QB1 status, but with serious downside. ... Since Week 4, Martellus Bennett has averaged barely five fantasy points a game; take out Week 8 and that average is only 3.7. ... The Bears' defense has actually been competent this season. You probably don't want to use them, but you can if it comes down to it.
Sit 'em: It's been an awful fantasy season for Robbie Gould; he hasn't had more than two fantasy points in any of his last five games.
LIONS
Start 'em: You can't help but be disappointed in Calvin Johnson's season so far, but he still has his upside and needs to be in every lineup.
Start 'em?: Just like Cutler, Matthew Stafford has serious downside, but he hasn't reached 20 fantasy points since Week 4, so he lacks Cutler's upside right now. ... Joique Bell is the team's top running back, though he hasn't exactly been special this season. ... The thinking was that Johnson's return would hurt Golden Tate's production, but he's put up double-digit fantasy points twice in three games since the star came back. He's a strong flex play. ... Denver cut Matt Prater; he's been good, and the Broncos just cut Brandon McManus. So that didn't work out then. ... The Lions' defense is still an elite unit, and probably still in the top 10, though the upside of the Chicago offense makes Detroit less of a sure thing.
Sit 'em: Even if he plays, Reggie Bush hasn't done nearly enough to use in fantasy this season, and either way, Theo Riddick doesn't have that much help to offer, either. ... The Detroit tight end situation is such a mess; Eric Ebron would be the one to use if you had to choose, but you don't want to.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson
Start if you're desperate: Jay Cutler, Martellus Bennett, Chicago defense, Matthew Stafford, Joique Bell, Golden Tate, Matt Prater, Detroit defense
Bench: Robbie Gould, Reggie Bush, Theo Riddick, Eric Ebron
